The anxiety of waiting for your dream job can take a toll on you. I found myself carrying around my phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Even in class, I made sure it was on vibrate so if it rang, I could run outside to take the life changing call. After uncountable times checking my phone, making myself sick, and trying (unsuccessfully) to think about anything else, I got the call about a month after I got home from my first visit to Wisconsin. I was eating sushi at I Love Sushi with Tara and we were discussing our new workout plan. My phone rang and we immediately looked up at each other with wide eyes and grins. I picked up the phone, my heart racing, and said hello. The first thing that David said to me was, “When can you start?” I, of course, yelled, “ARE YOU SEIROUS?!” back at him. He laughed and repeated the question. I told him I graduate from college May 14th, and I could be up there soon after that, but would love to go up for a few weekends before that to work with the horses and Fernando before he goes off to California. Tara was giving me thumbs up signs and excited looks, and all I wanted to do was scream with excitement. I got it. I got my dream job. There were 100 applicants, 10 of which went out to do a ride interview from all over the world - places like Hungary and Bolivia. I could not believe that they picked me, out of everyone, to ride with them. Before I got off the phone with David, he said to me, “I thought you would have jumped at the chance when I asked you when you could start, but you had to be difficult and ask ‘are you serious?!’ and ‘no way, really?!’ …I thought you would have just immediately told me when you could start!” But being me, of course I was too excited to even think about what his real question was.
Thursday, 3/31
Two weeks later, I was waking up at 4 am to catch a 7 am flight to Wisconsin. Those two weeks went by too slow. So many tests, so much to read, so many papers. All I could think about was what I was going to work on with which horse, and what challenging new course Fernando was going to have us do next. I just want to get out there and ride all day, enough of the reading and tests… my real tests will be dressage, cross country, and stadium jumping. No books or research papers can prepare me for that; it’s all about feeling and experience in the saddle, not in an uncomfortable school chair which actually makes my riding position worse (the next time Fernando asks me why my back is so weak, I will blame it on this :P)!
David and Kevin picked me up from the airport again, and we had a nice drive back to the farm. When we pulled in, it was like seeing a whole new place. I was used to seeing the fields and arenas completely covered in snow, and now, they are snow free, with grass trying to come up. The snow recently melted, so it was a little muddy, but it was still stunning. After a quick bite to eat in the main house, David drove me down to the stallion barn to meet up with Silvia and Sarah. I was all smiles to see them again!
I got Kalvin ready to ride and took him out as the first ride of the day. The weather permitted us to go out and ride in the outdoor arena. The arena has wonderful footing and is huge! Silvia rode Bakira, a bay mare who is beautiful. She has come so far in just a month since I saw her last. Kalvin was fantastic! He was listening to every aid, and behaving himself like a good boy. His trot was so smooth, and he was bending and collecting whenever I asked him to. Silvia gave me a heads up that he might be a little frisky when asking for the canter, and when I asked, he couldn’t have done it any better! I can tell that the work Silvia has put into him for the last month since I rode him has been great for him. He was such a good boy, there was nothing I could complain about. His canter was so smooth and such a joy to ride. Fernando arrived right at the end of the ride, when Kalvin spooked in a corner and bucked, and of course he had to do it right when Fernando got there! After saying hello to Fernando, I cooled Kalvin down and headed back up to the barn.
The next horse I got on was Hofherr, and Silvia got on Michaela. Hofherr was extremely excited to have Michaela in the ring with him; all of the stallions are in love with her! I only worked on the flat with Hofherr, and he was amazing. I love him and would buy him in a heartbeat if I could. He is one of the smoothest jumpers I have ever ridden; he has so much heart and always strives to please you. Michaela and Silvia did a great job jumping, and of course I wanted to be jumping with her, but it was nice to be able to get to know Hofherr again and really begin to understand each other better.
Sarah had generously already groomed Blitzlicht for me by the time we made it back to the barn, so I tacked him up quickly and Silvia and I went out together (she was riding Blitz und Donner). We thought we were only going to do flat work with the horses, until after we warmed up for a bit Fernando came over and started setting up more fences. I was still not 100 percent comfortable with Blitzie; I had only ridden him once before, a month ago, for a short time. He was a great sport with me! I have a bit of a confidence problem when it comes to going for the big spots – I tend to suck back and wait for the jump instead of go for it. Besides that, Blitzie and I got along very well, and he put up with my mistakes like a gentleman, even though I knew he was frustrated with me. I tried as best as I could to correct myself, but also being there right after being hired also made me extremely anxious. I wanted to prove that I was worthy of being hired and that they had made the right decision, so when I was making mistakes I was disheartened. Fernando and Silvia both helped me feel more comfortable; I had to ride in a whole new style than I was used to. Silvia rode Blitz beautifully (as always!), he is a stunning horse and she is such a talented rider. They are a perfect match.
After the ride, we went back and untacked the horses. We brought the stallions who were turned out inside, and changed their blankets. I cleaned the bridles and saddles we rode in, and Silvia and Sarah fed and hayed the horses. I blew out the isle and then it was 5 o’clock and we were done for the day. I was exhausted from only getting four hours of sleep, so I went up to the house and had dinner. When Kevin and David came back from the gym, I helped them bring in the precious yearlings and their mothers, and then went to sleep.
Friday, 4/1
The next morning, I was up at 6:30 am to have a quick bowl of cereal, get dressed, and be out of the house by 7. Silvia and Sarah fed the stallions and gave them hay, and I went down to the other fields to feed the three-year-old mares and stallions. We turned out the 4 year-old-mares and some of the stallions who we weren’t working in the morning. I groomed and tacked up Imago, and Silvia got Hector ready. It was drizzling outside, so we had to ride in the indoor arena. Hector was really good for Silvia, and I had a little bit of difficulty with Imago that day. The last time I rode him, he was absolutely perfect, and this time, instead of riding him with a soft, long rein, I was riding him with rigid hands and we were just not getting along as much. I had my Flip video camera, and Silvia took a video of me so I could watch it later, and then she got on Imago so she could help me out a little bit. I videoed her as well, and she did a wonderful job with him. He is such a beautiful horse to watch!
After we untacked them, we put their coolers on and left them in the barn to eat some hay and relax before turning them out. Sarah, Silvia, and I went out to bring the “girls” in. I rode Reba, a 16.2 hand bay mare who is such a sweet horse. Sarah rode Kleopatra, a sweet grey mare out of Hirtentanz, and Silvia rode Cara Blanca, a 17 hand beautiful chestnut. It had stopped drizzling by this point, and after we saddled them up together, we took off for riding out in the fields! I knew the farm consists of 225 acres, but I never saw the beautiful fields that are up on top of the hills. We walked the mares around the fields, and it was absolutely beautiful. I cannot wait to be able to canter and work on conditioning in the fields during the spring season. All three mares were very brave, and we had a very fun time riding out together. After we untacked those three, we turned them back out into their field with the other girls. Sarah and I went out and rode in the fields again. I rode Kalvin, Sarah rode Seraphina, and Silvia lounged Bakira in the arena. Sarah and I walked the horses around the huge field a few times, and talked about our horse experiences and the horses we have had. It was a great time to get to know Sarah better, she is such a sweet person and I am so happy that I get to work with her.
By the time we got back to the barn, it was time to bring in the stallions who were out, change their blankets, turn out the stallions who were in, and head off for an hour break for lunch. I went up to Kevin and David’s house and had a sandwich and a nice talk with David. The hour went by very quickly though, and soon it was 1 o’clock and time to go back down to the barn for our lessons with Fernando. I rode Hofherr and Silvia rode Blitz und Donner. I had a little bit of difficulty on the approach to a few of the fences; the indoor arena is not as wide as the outdoor, so the approach to one of the jumps was a little tight, causing me to lose my rhythm on the way to the fence, and causing me to back off again. Fernando got after me though, and really had me start to go forward towards the fences. After a few more tries, I got the hang of it and we ended on a good note.
After cooling them down, we took them back up to the barn and I got Michaela ready and Silvia got Blitzie ready. I was looking forward to seeing her and Blitzlicht work together because I had just ridden him the day before, and wanted to see how Silvia rode him differently. The last time I was in Wisconsin, Michaela was so nervous about the end of the arena, and this time was a complete 180. She was so fantastic! We had a few jumps where I sat back and waited, but after a few more attempts, I started to get the hang of things. Fernando kept reminding me that I need to open my shoulders, and sit up tall. This helped me when I was really riding forward towards the fence, instead of slouching back and waiting for it to come to me. This lesson was crazy for Silvia and Blitzie! There was one decent sized oxer that we were jumping, and every time Silvia would take Blitzie through the corner, he was so excited he would buck, completely changing Silvia’s previous perfect spot! It was quite amusing to watch, although I am sure at the time, Silvia was very frustrated with him. After a few circles of canter, Blitzie went back to being his old self again, and became the gentleman we knew he could be. I love that every time you go to get on a horse, you won’t ever have the same ride. You learn something new every single time you get into the saddle. I love that aspect of riding.
After we cooled the horses out, I had a very long discussion with Fernando about my riding style. We talked for a long time about how different Americans ride versus Europeans. I feel honored to have lessons from him, he is such a talented rider and horseman, and even though it is difficult sometimes, I always learn something from him. He told me that this new way of riding IS difficult, but wasn’t it difficult when I was 6 years old, learning how to post the trot? Wasn’t it difficult learning how to jump my first cross rail at 18 inches? Yes. Riding is very challenging, and you have to work at it to become a better rider. It can be frustrating and discouraging at times, but with enough patience and effort, you can accomplish anything.
By then it was 5 o’clock, and time to bring all the horses in, feed them, clean tack, and blow out the isle. After that was done, I went to Sarah’s house (the staff house, which I will be living in when I move there) to take a shower and get ready for the evening. It was a special night! We went to a delicious Hibachi restaurant to celebrate Silvia’s birthday and also to welcome me to the farm. Sarah, Fernando, and I drove together and met Silvia, Patty (a woman who works on the farm), her husband, Mike (Silvia’s boyfriend), and a few other friends there. We sat at a table where a chef cooks food in front of you and puts on a show. He made onion volcanoes and flung shrimp into our mouths. The food was delicious, despite the fact that Fernando made us try some of his sake - a hot alcohol they serve with that type of food. It was disgusting, but fun to try, and he had a few orders of it (and he was hilarious!). After an amazing time, Sarah and I were so exhausted so we left a little early with Fernando, who rode in the back seat on the way home (because of the sake!). Sarah drove his Audi back to the ranch, and on the way, we had a dance party. Fernando was hysterical! He was trying to sing along to songs he didn’t really know the words to, and was dancing and turning on and off the back seat lights to make it like strobe lights. I was laughing the entire drive home, while singing songs such as “Are You Gonna Be My Girl” by Jet. Fernando kept getting mad at other drivers because they were too slow, and he wanted Sarah to push the car into “turbo mode” so we could feel its power. Good thing I wasn’t driving or I probably would have!
Saturday 4/2
By the time we got home, it was already 11:30, and knowing we had to get up at 6:15 was scary; we usually liked to be in bed by 9! I fell asleep the moment my head hit the pillow, and when my alarm went off to wake up for the day, I thought it must have been a mistake because it seemed like I had only been asleep for five minutes! On the way to the barn, I stopped and fed the five young stallions and the 3 young mares who stay outside. Then we started our usual routine of feeding the horses, changing blankets, and turning some of the horses out. However, Patty, the woman who usually cleans the stalls, wasn’t working in the stallion barn that day, so Silvia, Sarah, and I got to work at mucking out the stalls, with dance music blaring through the speakers. Soon after we started though, Sarah got a call from David: a new filly was born! This was such a surprise to us because all of the mares have a “foal alert” sewn into them, so as soon as they dilate to a certain amount, a pin pops out and starts calling 5 cell phones to alert us that a baby is coming! This time though, the pin didn’t pop out so none of us were alerted that a baby was coming, so David found her when he went out to feed the yearlings and pregnant mares. The new mom is Doreen, and the father is Hirtentanz – the most famous stallion they have who lives in Germany. The new baby is a beautiful dark bay (or black) filly, with two diagonal socks, and no facial markings. She is just the sweetest thing, and I can’t wait for the other six babies to be born this season! After meeting the new baby, Kevin came up with the name “Secret Storm,” because she kind of just snuck up on us, and we needed to have “Storm” in her name because of the bloodline. I love it!
By this time, we drove the Kubota across the fields, back to the stallion barn to finish mucking out the stalls. Sarah and I went up above the barn to the hayloft, threw down ten bales of hay, and then we were done with the chores. Silvia decided to give me a lesson on Imago, since I had a little bit of difficulty with him the last time I rode him. We worked on bending, and keeping him low and relaxed, while still having a powerful stride. It was a great lesson; Silvia helped me understand him so much better! I really enjoy working with him and can’t wait until I can jump him! After I was finished with Imago, Silvia gave Sarah a lesson Bakira while I got on Reba. She was a very good girl, and we worked mainly on keeping her relaxed while keeping a forward stride in the trot. Sarah did a great job with Bakira, and Fernando lounged his beautiful grand prix jumper, Eli.
It was 12:30 by the time we were all finished, so we went up for a bite to eat (I also had time for a quick 20 minute nap), then it was time for our jumping lessons with Fernando. This was one of the best lessons I have ever had. I rode Hofherr, and I finally, finally understood how to ride in the way that Fernando was trying to get me to for so long. One thing he told me was to push my elbows back more, which actually made my lower back straighten, so I was finally riding in the proper position. Hofherr was absolutely perfect, listening to everything I asked him to do, and we got perfect spots every time. I literally could not stop smiling because I was so happy with how we did, and both Fernando and Silvia kept telling me how well we were doing. I feel like that was a turning point in my riding. I hope that from now on, I will be able to keep that rhythm, power, and balance with the horse. Fernando told me after the lesson that the day before, I had been riding with my head, and that finally, today, I was riding with my heart...and I could feel it.
Silvia rode Blitz und Donner when I was on Hofherr and they did a fabulous job, Silvia is such a talented rider! After that lesson, I was supposed to ride Michaela in another jumping lesson, but she threw a shoe out in the pasture. So instead of riding, I decided to video Silvia’s lesson on Blitzlicht. She did such a good job with him – he was absolutely perfect! She didn’t ride him for very long because they did so well, there wasn’t really much they could change, because they did that well! After her lesson, we brought the stallions in, fed, hayed, cleaned tack, and blew out the isle. Sarah and I decided to go out for dinner at a delicious burger place, and we had custard as dessert. We had a really good time getting to know each other better, but as soon as I got home, I passed out and went to sleep to start another day of work.
Sunday 4/3
This was one of the more difficult days; the weather was horrible, it was 35 degrees, with winds up to 30 MPH, rain, hail, and a lot of lightening. This was probably one of the coldest/wettest days I’ve had at the farm, and it was very challenging because the cold just seemed to soak right into my skin! Before the hail started, Silvia gave me an awesome dressage lesson with Kalvin, and I learned some great exercises in order to help me with my lower back. Kalvin was such a good boy, as usual! Because of the terrible weather, Silvia hopped on Cara Blanca and trotted her around for ten minutes, and then that was all we could do with riding. For the rest of the morning, we free lounged all the stallions so they could get out and stretch their legs. By the time we were finished with all of them, it was lunch time and time for me to say goodbye to everyone and head to the airport.
I am honored to be given the opportunity to work at such a fabulous barn, with such talented horses and riders. I cannot wait to move there and start this new chapter in my life.
